﻿﻿Whether planned or abrupt, executive transitions can disrupt the progress of even the best organization. Seasoned nonprofit CEO Dolph Ward Goldenburg will provide your organization with stable leadership that ensures continued operation, while resolving critical financial, human resource, and risk management issues before your next permanent executive starts. To learn more about engaging Goldenburg as an interim executive, click the schedule meeting button at the bottom of this page.﻿﻿

In order to accomplish these goals, we conduct a comprehensive organizational assessment during the first month of engagement. This formal assessment process includes reviewing 107 specific policies and practices essential to operating a successful nonprofit. A few key tasks involved in the assessment include: 1. Meeting with key staff, board members, and funders 2. Assessing the organization’s insurance coverage 3. Reviewing the organization’s financial policies and internal controls 4. Reviewing funder compliance 5. Reviewing the fundraising plan and fundraising history 6. Reviewing human resource policies 7. Verifying that organization practices are consistent with organization policies

Following the first month of our engagement, our interim executive reviews the assessment report with the board and management team to establish an operating plan for the remainder of the engagement. Implementing this plan ensures the next permanent executive begins a successful tenure with fewer organizational issues.

Throughout the engagement, the interim executive provides stable leadership to ensure continued organizational operation. A few key tasks include: 1. Supervising key staff (program, financial, fundraising) 2. Reviewing financial statements prior to distribution to the finance committee and board 3. Ensuring key internal and external deadlines are met 4. Working directly with the board of directors and board leadershipDuring the final month of the engagement, the interim executive director develops a launchpad for the permanent executive director's success. This includes a playbook that outlines any outstanding organizational issues, provides a calendar of key dates for the first year, lists key individuals and organizations along with their contact information. The launchpad also includes scheduling appointments with key constituents so that the permanent executive director is not having to determine the most important people to meet in their first 100 days, and our process also includes a ten-week "getting to know each other" structure for the board chair and executive director. Additionally, the interim executive remains on board for up to ten business days to provide a structured orientation process or any other assistance the new executive requires, and is available for hourly consultation throughout the person's first year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an interim executive?A:An interim executive serves as the senior staff member on a temporary basis while the organization seeks a permanent CEO or executive director. Interim executives normally work 25 to 30 hours per week, and duties typically include supervising staff, reviewing financials, advising the board, attending board meetings, and meeting with funders.

Q: Why engage an interim executive?A: The nonprofit CEO or executive director plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and success of an organization. Not only does the executive supervise key staff, but CEO or executive director also plays a unique role in regulatory and funder compliance, budgeting and financial oversight, risk management, and operational decisions. Organizations facing a gap in leadership often experience decreased regulatory compliance, damaged relationships with funders, role confusion among staff and board, and decreased effectiveness. For this reason, engaging an interim executive is a widely accepted best practice.

Q: Our outgoing executive director has been very successful and our organization is doing great. How can we benefit from an interim executive?A:One of the most difficult challenges your next permanent executive will face is being compared to the immediate past executive. If the last CEO or executive director was well liked, your next executive director may have an uphill battle getting staff buy-in and support. In this situation, an interim executive will serve as an important buffer between your outgoing executive and your next permanent executive, and pave the way for a more effective relationship between the new CEO or executive director and the staff.

Q: Why engage the Goldenburg Group for interim executive services?A:The Goldenburg Group's Managing Director, Dolph Ward Goldenburg, has professional expertise in managing nonprofits in times of transition. As a chief executive, he has a track record of helping multiple organizations transform themselves from while remaining faithful to their core mission. He functions well in an environment requiring decisive management and makes mission driven decisions based on data and dollars. While The Goldenburg Group uses other consultants to assist with some of its services, firm principal Dolph Goldenburg normally provides interim executive services.

Q: How much will an interim executive cost?A: The cost for interim executive services depends on a number of factors, including size and complexity of the organization, length of engagement, and location of engagement. Typically, the interim executive director is paid the same salary as the last permanent executive, and the Goldenburg Group has a weekly minimum of $2,500 for metro Atlanta engagements, and a weekly minimum of $2,750 - $3,000 for engagements outside the region. The organization needing an interim pays just the salary and employer share of payroll taxes, as The Goldenburg Group provides the interim with healthcare, retirement plan, and other benefits. To learn more about cost and how we can benefit you, please click the schedule a meeting link below.

Q: We're interested in you, but can you hold the availability on your calendar while we make a decision?A: If there is availability in our interim executive director's schedule, that availability remains open until it is filled